Sagkeeng’s Finest, a trio of cloogers and tappers from Sagkeeng First Nation, captured the crown. It’s not that I don’t like them, …

]]>Canada’s Got Talent revealed its inaugural winner on Monday night and I am still a little in shock.

Sagkeeng’s Finest, a trio of cloogers and tappers from Sagkeeng First Nation, captured the crown. It’s not that I don’t like them, and it’s not that they aren’t talented – I just don’t believe they were even close to being the best on the show. I thought it might come down to dance troupe Freshh or Aygul Memet – Aygul didn’t even make the top three.

Here’s how the results played out:

First four groups on the stage with host Dina Pugliese were Broken Dance, Aygul Memet, Ivan Daigle and Angry Candy (one of them is in the top three and the others are eliminated). Angry Candy advances.

Next four to join Dina are The Emsee, Freshh, Scott Jackson and KRNFX. Freshh advances.

Now we get a performance from Hedley before Shale Wagman, Emilio Fina, Julie Lafontaine and Sagkeeng join Dina on stage. Obviously you know Sagkeeng advances.

Before we find out that Sagkeeng has won the top prize we watch a performance from opera singing sensation Jackie Evancho.

]]>http://blogs.leaderpost.com/2012/05/15/canadas-got-talent-sagkeengs-finest-wins-in-a-shocker-over-freshh-and-angry-candy/feed/0gordcraigCanada’s Got Talent: KRNFX, Aygul Memet, Ivan Daigle, Shale Wagman, Scott Jackson, Freshh shine during final performanceshttp://blogs.leaderpost.com/2012/05/14/canadas-got-talent-krnfx-aygul-memet-ivan-daigle-shale-wagman-scott-jackson-freshh-shine-during-final-performances/
http://blogs.leaderpost.com/2012/05/14/canadas-got-talent-krnfx-aygul-memet-ivan-daigle-shale-wagman-scott-jackson-freshh-shine-during-final-performances/#commentsMon, 14 May 2012 22:45:59 +0000http://blogs.leaderpost.com/?p=28489Twelve acts chasing the $100,000 top prize on Canada’s Got Talent performed for votes for the last time on Sunday night.

Here’s my brief rundown of their performances.

Sagkeeng’s Finest – The First Nation trio did tap for the first …

]]>Twelve acts chasing the $100,000 top prize on Canada’s Got Talent performed for votes for the last time on Sunday night.

Here’s my brief rundown of their performances.

Sagkeeng’s Finest – The First Nation trio did tap for the first time, straying from their traditional clogging. More production value than previous performances and they had a lot of fun on the stage.

KRNFX, Terry Im, beat boxer – He’s very talented. At times it sounded like there was more than one person making the sounds.

Julie Lafontaine, opera singer – No question she has a good, powerful voice. I just find opera very boring.

Aygul Memet, circus performer – From hoops, to balancing candelabra’s and this time to hanging from the roof performing. Great performance to watch as usual, she was born to perform.

Ivan Daigle, country singer – He sounds like so many other male country singers to me. He is very genuine.

Broken Dance, Bollywood dance troupe – They only had a week to prepare this performance, and only a couple of times did it show a little. Very interesting to watch. I was a little disappointed with most of the girls wearing white – I love the colour they usually display.

Shale Wagman, 12, contemporary dancer – He’s a very charming young boy, but I didn’t really care for his earlier performances. Definitely his best performance yet. The judges raved about him.

Scott Jackson, beat boxer – KRNFX has said he always wins the competitions, but in my mind Scott was better tonight. Instead of just the usual stuff, Scott held the mike up to his throat and make it sound like he was underwater – it was pretty cool and unique.

Angry Candy, band – The song really highlighted her voice but it’s hard to do an Adele song. It’s so recent you always want to compare it to the original – which isn’t fair but it happens.

The Emsee, rapper – I don’t believe he should be still on the show.

Emilio Fina, opera singer – He decided to expand and sing, dance and act – he might’ve bitten off a little much. It’s hard for me to critique because I really don’t like opera.

Freshh, hip-hop crew – This seven-member group is unreal – their syncronicity is unbelievable. I like them a lot and think they have a shot at winning. At times it looks like they move as one.

]]>http://blogs.leaderpost.com/2012/05/14/canadas-got-talent-krnfx-aygul-memet-ivan-daigle-shale-wagman-scott-jackson-freshh-shine-during-final-performances/feed/0gordcraigCanada’s Got Talent: Broken Dance, Laheeb Quddusi, Aygul Memet highlight what was easily the semifinal of seasonhttp://blogs.leaderpost.com/2012/05/08/canadas-got-talent-broken-dance-laheeb-quddusi-aygul-memet-highlight-what-was-easily-the-semifinal-of-season/
http://blogs.leaderpost.com/2012/05/08/canadas-got-talent-broken-dance-laheeb-quddusi-aygul-memet-highlight-what-was-easily-the-semifinal-of-season/#commentsTue, 08 May 2012 23:02:01 +0000http://blogs.leaderpost.com/?p=28345Canada Got Talent aired its final semifinal on Sunday night and it was easily the best one of the six.

Of course that’s not saying much because I was quite disappointed with the earlier five. I saw some performers eliminated …

]]>Canada Got Talent aired its final semifinal on Sunday night and it was easily the best one of the six.

Of course that’s not saying much because I was quite disappointed with the earlier five. I saw some performers eliminated from the show that were far better than some of the acts that advanced from the first five semifinal shows.

Here’s my quick synopsis of Sunday night’s show.

Jack Etlinger, 18, young crooner – He sounds quite a bit like Michael Buble. Didn’t blow me away, but it was pretty good. Is he good enough to win the show? Probably not. Good enough to advance? If he was on an earlier semifinal. I would like to know what judge Martin Short is smoking or what show he is watching. Talking to Jack about his performance and whether or not he was good enough to win, Martin said the level of talent so far on the show is staggering. WHAT! He must be paid a lot to say that.

Broken Dance, Bollywood dancers – I like the energy and colour they bring to the stage. Very good, very entertaining.

Francelle and Matt, singer/yodeller and guitartist couple – Francelle just sang on Sunday night and she was really good. They were backed up by a stomp-type group and it added a lot of interest for me.

Aygul Memet, acrobat – Aygul is a former member of the Chinese National Circus. Aygul has a legitimate shot at winning it all if the fans care about who has actual talent. The first time she performed with hoops. This time it was all about balance and contortion with candles. Best on the show I’ve seen.

Marianne Demers, 15, singer – It was a bad song choice in my mind. I didn’t think it was good enough, but the judges seemed to see it differently.

Nothing spectacular yet, but it wasn’t bad. Host Dina Pugliese did a commendable job and the judges (I’ve never heard of two of …

]]>The new reality show Canada’s Got Talent premiered on Sunday night and I’ll give it a B-minus.

Nothing spectacular yet, but it wasn’t bad. Host Dina Pugliese did a commendable job and the judges (I’ve never heard of two of them) Stephan Muccio, Meesha Brueggergosman and Martin Short didn’t have any harsh comments for anyone, but were honest with their opinions.

For those of you like me that don’t know the judges here’s a brief rundown: Muccio is an award winning music producer and composer, Meesha is an award winning opera singer and Short has won Toni and Emmy awards as a comedian, who has appeared on SCTV and Saturday Night Live.

The winner of the show will receive $100,000, a new Nissan GTR, a chance to perform in Las Vegas and a spot in the citytv New Year’s bash.

Here’s my rundown of Sunday night’s show:

Fantasy Circus (Leonitz and Tatiania) – Born in Belarus, the couple performs a balancing act that was very entertaining. Easily through to the next round.

Terry IM’KRNFX’ – A beatboxer who was amazing. Stephan and Meesha were up dancing for part of his routine. They couldn’t say he was through to the next round fast enough.

Pulp City Inn – A rock band, ages 16-22. Three guitarists and a drummer who rocked it pretty good. Through.

Breigh Scheefer, 19 – Said she discovered her talent when she was five, and it is . . . belching. I think she should stick with being a good looking blonde. See ya.

Angela Ewtushik and Rally – She called it freestyle flying disc. The dog is fantastic. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. Through

Broken Dance, ages 19-25 – Bollywood dancers. I always like this. Very colourful and not something you see every day. Very well done. Through.

Giorgio Londo the Tenor – Says he’s been singing in public since the age of three apparently. I wonder how many things he’s had thrown at him. He was horrendous. Three Xs and he’s gone and he was pissed. Wouldn’t even talk to Dina.

Oliver Oliver – Bad hula hoop artist. Gone

Brandt the Fire Guy – Awful juggler, awful comedian. Bye Bye.

Monsters of schluck? – Just idiotic stunts. See Ya

Volodymyr Martyniuk – 52-year-old magician/illusionist. He performed some really neat small tricks. His delivery was real good. Left me wanting to see what else he could do. Through

Aygul Memet – 36-year-old Chinese circus performer. Escaped occupied Tibet/Mongolia and eventually came to Canada. Was without her daughter for three years because the Chinese government wouldn’t give her family passports. She did an intriguing hoop dance. It was very interesting and she is easily through.